Drugs Task Force Mystery

PETALING JAYA: A task force set up by the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) in 2011 to address price disparity between what is offered to some doctors and that quoted to pharmacies has allegedly been scrapped although the society denies this.

This came to light following theSun's front page report yesterday on profiteering by unscrupulous private doctors and clinics which re-sell to third parties drugs they bought at 'preferential prices' from pharmaceutical companies.

The reason for this racket is that drug makers do not sell certain pharmaceuticals directly to pharmacies, or price the drugs much higher than what they offer to doctors/clinics, resulting in middlemen buying these drugs from the doctors and then selling it to pharmacies at higher prices. Thus, consumers end up having to pay more for the drugs.

The former chairman of the task force, who only wants to be known as Gan, told theSun: "The task force had drafted a 12-point proposal to be given by MPS to drug companies, but the MPS refused to do so."

The 12-point proposal included:

- Standard pricing structure for health professionals and all types of outlets - Abolishing 'bulk bonuses' to avoid wastage and excess stocks - An official price list of recommended selling prices and the standard discounts, etc. be provided to all relevant stakeholders - Discourage all forms of undisclosed subsidy-incentives - Prohibit all other guises of inducement

He said the termination was both disappointing and premature as the task force has yet to complete its duties.

However, when contacted, MPS president Datuk Nancy Ho denied that the task force was terminated and said it was 'transferred' to the MPS Community Pharmacies Chapter.

"MPS remains committed to resolving the problems of disparity in pricing," she told theSun.

She said the fundamental problem in such differential prices is the non-separation of functions between doctors and pharmacists.

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Drugs Task Force Mystery